I have a linear Astron power supply that I use in my shack and am quite pleased with it. However our local club does a few contests a year and when I operate, I like to bring my rig. That being said, disconnecting my 35 amp linear supply and carting that thing around is a complete pain in the hmmm back. So I was looking into getting a switcher to use for those applications.

I don't think I need to have anything too special I run a K3 and wouldn't be taking any shack accessories with me. But I worry about noise from said switching supply. Anyone have any good suggestions for a supply that I can use and that costs under $200.

I wanted a small switching supply recently, to avoid lugging my thousand-pound linear supply around. I bought a QJE 30A supply from one of the big vendors just because it was on sale and it little. It has a "noise offset" control on the front, but I've never needed it, and I've never noticed any significant noise from it. I'm entirely satisfied with it--FWIW. YMMV.

Just my .02, but Samlex supplies have a good reputation too. Their SEC 1223 would be the one you may want to look at.

The SEC 1223 has numerous problems with noise. It generates a bunch of noise all over HF. There are mods on the internet that deal with this however. I own one and it was reasonably priced, and it has been with me since I was licensed.

I now only use it to charge my batteries so the noise problem is not an issue for me, but it is something to consider.

I use a Mega-Watt 30 amp supply on my Yaesu FT-450AT with no noise problems. This supply is inexpensive and in the years I have used it I have had no problems. I also have an Amazon.com power supply I picked up reel cheep (less then $20.00). I fully tested it, and I am using it on my Yaesu FT-4700RH. It is also a 30 amp supply that looks like the Mega-Watt, but comes with no hook up instructions, The hook up is very easy. If you want to save money and do not mind fully testing the cheep supply very thoroughly. Either one of these would work. I get no hash or noise from either one. The Mega-Watt is on HF/6, the unnamed cheapo is on a 2/70 radio.

...The SEC 1223 has numerous problems with noise. It generates a bunch of noise all over HF. There are mods on the internet that deal with this however. I own one and it was reasonably priced, and it has been with me since I was licensed....

Any switching supply has that possible problem--the possibility of noise generation. It's the nature of the beast. I have a Radio Shack switcher, the 25 amp model--which is also made by Samlex. I heard about the noise problems with those and was wary--until I plugged it in and saw how quiet it was, fan included. A buddy of mine got one--and his WAS noisy, and some of the noise was from the fan.

The only problem I had with mine was some intermittant static after the supply had been in use a few weeks--which I traced down to bad solder joints. After those were resoldered--quiet once again. Maybe MFJ got into the act somehow! 73.

...The SEC 1223 has numerous problems with noise. It generates a bunch of noise all over HF. There are mods on the internet that deal with this however. I own one and it was reasonably priced, and it has been with me since I was licensed....

Any switching supply has that possible problem--the possibility of noise generation. It's the nature of the beast. I have a Radio Shack switcher, the 25 amp model--which is also made by Samlex. I heard about the noise problems with those and was wary--until I plugged it in and saw how quiet it was, fan included. A buddy of mine got one--and his WAS noisy, and some of the noise was from the fan.

The only problem I had with mine was some intermittant static after the supply had been in use a few weeks--which I traced down to bad solder joints. After those were resoldered--quiet once again. Maybe MFJ got into the act somehow! 73.

This problem is overstated because modern devices from TV to radios to phone chargers all using switches supplies. With a good design there is no problem.

Logged

--------------------------------------Ham since 1969.... Old School 20wpm REAL Extra Class..

I've had an MFJ 4125 for years. Small size, no RFI that I've ever noticed and nary a problem with it. I've used it in the shack, at FD and at our lake cabin. The only negative is a loud fan and mods exist to fix that. Of course there is always the MFJ quality control factor. I got one that was well made.

...The SEC 1223 has numerous problems with noise. It generates a bunch of noise all over HF. There are mods on the internet that deal with this however. I own one and it was reasonably priced, and it has been with me since I was licensed....

Any switching supply has that possible problem--the possibility of noise generation. It's the nature of the beast. I have a Radio Shack switcher, the 25 amp model--which is also made by Samlex. I heard about the noise problems with those and was wary--until I plugged it in and saw how quiet it was, fan included. A buddy of mine got one--and his WAS noisy, and some of the noise was from the fan.

The only problem I had with mine was some intermittant static after the supply had been in use a few weeks--which I traced down to bad solder joints. After those were resoldered--quiet once again. Maybe MFJ got into the act somehow! 73.

This problem is overstated because modern devices from TV to radios to phone chargers all using switches supplies. With a good design there is no problem.

It's only overstated if you don't have a noisy switching power supply like the SEC-1223.

This problem is overstated because modern devices from TV to radios to phone chargers all using switches supplies. With a good design there is no problem.

It's only overstated if you don't have a noisy switching power supply like the SEC-1223.

Not to push the matter, but just because you have one that is noisy doesn't make all of the Samlex supplies bad. The reviews section here has the score of 4.4 out of 5 for an average. That's pretty good--for what you claim is a bad, noisy power supply.

Not to push the matter, but just because you have one that is noisy doesn't make all of the Samlex supplies bad. The reviews section here has the score of 4.4 out of 5 for an average. That's pretty good ...

I have one of those Radio Shack 25A switching supplies that you mentioned earlier. A few years ago I needed a PS fast and couldn't wait for mail-order, so I went to the mall and bought that one. These days it's mostly for backup, secondary use, and back-yard portable operating. The one I bought is also perfectly decent--no detectable noise. No complaints here!

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